Members of the agricultural press were yesterday given a first glimpse of the all important online Single Application Form (SAF).
In the same way that its predecessor was the key to unlocking the old Single Farm Payment (SFP) this new form will unlock the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) which lies at the heart of the reformed Common Agricultural Policy.
The differences are immediately apparent but the good news is that the new format will be more flexible and, if first appearances are anything to go by, no more complicated to use.
Whereas the old online system replicated the paper forms by having around a dozen fields on each data sheet, the new one devotes one page to each land parcel allowing far more room for details such as split cropping or Environmental Focus Area features to be included.
David Barnes, chief agricultural officer with the Scottish Government, was in his department’s Perth office yesterday to explain the new system and how it will help deliver £4billion of rural support over the next five years.
“As we are aware the new policy comes with its complications but the new Rural Payments and Services (RPS) system will make the process as simple and clear as it can be,” he said, while at the same time urging customers not to be afraid to bring any problems to light with his staff.
Mr Barnes added that although paper-based application forms would be available he recommended using the online version and hoped that the vast majority of more than 20,000 eligible businesses would take the option.
For those without a computer or in areas without adequate broadband he suggested using the facilities at libraries, using an agent or simply making an appointment at a Scottish government office.
There is one major hurdle to overcome first however. Every existing farm business has to be re-registered online and every new one registered. There have been some teething problems with this process, admitted Mr Barnes, but to date around 7,000 businesses have completed the process. The SAF will be available from mid-March with a deadline of May 15.